Finnish Patrol Boat

[Martti]

I found a description of this boat along with crude drawings from the Finnish National Archive. Supposedly the design was developed in 1955 by a Lieutenant colonel from the Border Guard. Few dozen sticks are arranged to form the shape of the boat on which a 5 by 2 meter waterproof "telon" (= teflon?) canvas is put on. Several field tests and three years later proved that the design is functional with 5 km/h reached with four rowers. With a small sail speeds up to 7 km/h could be reached. The boat is able to withstand over one meter waves or around 8 m/s winds.I can see the similarity to the Currach or any boat with semi-rigid structure and thin outer layer.

 

[fishfish]

would love to have a go at one.

 

[Dannytsg]

I'd love to have the time and resources to have a go at building one of these.

 

[Martti]

I'd love to have the time and resources to have a go at building one of these.

Six persons will build one in 1½ hours if they only have the canvas ready but in ½ hour if the wooden parts are prefabricated.